Janet E. Rosenbaum '98 developed RSI during the final exam period last semester and sought treatment at UHS. She said the primary care physician she saw on her first visit was not that helpful, but did give her a referral to a specialist.

When she finally got to physical therapy after a month's wait, Rosenbaum said the specialist "seemed generally helpful" and suggested she lighten her back-pack and do certain stretches.

But she said she found much more effective treatment at home with a different doctor over spring break. The doctor at home specifically diagnosed her problem.

Rosenbaum said her new doctor also informed her that "some of the stretches [the physical therapist at UHS] had prescribed weren't good for me."

She said she does not fault the UHS specialist for not having a detailed understanding of RSI, because the syndrome is relatively new. "I think [the treatment at UHS] is about as effective as you might expect," she said.

But she noted that each of the eight other RSI sufferers she knows has sought additional treatment off campus.

Clayton D. Scott '98 is much more critical in his assessment of UHS.

A patient at UHS for eight months, Scott said his condition did not improve, despite the fact that he stopped typing and regularly attended physical therapy.

"I was getting the exact same treatment every time I went in, and it wasn't working," Scott said.

After taking his case to Rosenthal, Scott was transferred to an outside doctor at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Medford, Mass. Scott said he has made noticeable improvements since starting his treatment at Spaulding.

"I'm positive that would not have happened if I had stayed with UHS," he added.

But not all RSI patients treated at UHS are dissatisfied.

Rachel W. Podolsky '00 said despite a long wait for her initial physical therapy appointment, the treatment she has received has been quite good.

"I respect my physical therapist a lot," she said. "He really knows his stuff."

And although Roanak V. Desai '00 noted he had to wait for a physical therapy appointment, he said his UHS primary care physician was quite helpful in diagnosing and explaining his ailment.